Pakistan’s telecom sector has welcomed the Competition Commission of Pakistan’s (CCP) approval of the long-awaited merger between Ufone and Telenor Pakistan, calling it a step towards a more sustainable and efficient industry.
Industry leaders say the move could help telecom companies focus on expanding services, rather than spending resources on maintaining separate networks. Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, congratulated PTCL on receiving the green light from the CCP.
He said,
“Consolidation can make the telecom industry more sustainable by ensuring resources are invested in expanding services rather than duplicating networks. Now the real priority should be timely spectrum release, which is essential to unlock Pakistan’s digital growth and ensure that millions of people benefit from faster, more affordable connectivity.”
Telenor Asia also expressed appreciation for the CCP’s careful review before granting approval. In a statement, the company said,
We believe this transaction would strengthen Pakistan’s telecoms sector. This CCP approval is a significant milestone in the process, which will now move forward for approval by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). We look forward to the timely approval process and final completion of the transaction soon. Telenor Pakistan will continue its business as usual, focusing on delivering services to its 43 million customer base.”
The merger is one of the most significant changes in Pakistan’s telecom landscape in over a decade. For years, four national mobile operators competed for market share. With this deal, the number will shrink to three. Experts say this could lead to stronger networks and better service, but also warn that fewer operators might mean less choice and potentially higher prices for consumers.
The CCP’s approval comes with a set of conditions designed to protect competition and ensure that customers and rival operators are not disadvantaged. The industry now awaits the next steps, including approval from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.